Molecular sieves mediated unsaturated hydrcarbon separation and related compositions, materials, methods and systems

ABSTRACT

Described herein are compositions having an eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon, methods and system to separate the eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon at from a hydrocarbon mixture including additional nonlinear unsaturated C 8 H 2 m hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8, by contacting the hydrocarbon mixture with a 10-ring pore molecular sieve having a sieving channel with a 10-ring sieving aperture with a minimum crystallographic free diameter greater than 3 Å and a ratio of the maximum crystallographic free diameter to the minimum crystallographic free diameter between 1 and 2, the molecular sieve having a T1/T2 ratio≥20:1 wherein T1 is an element independently selected from Si and Ge, and T2 is an element independently selected from Al, B and Ga, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve further having a counterion selected from NH 4   + , Li + , Na + , K +  and Ca ++ .

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 62/387,373, entitled “Purification of Cyclic Olefins” filed on Dec.24, 2015 with docket number CIT-7400-P, the content of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to molecular sieves mediated unsaturatedhydrocarbon separation and related compositions, materials, methods andsystems.

BACKGROUND

Separations of chemical mixtures, inclusive of separation of a substanceinto its components as well as removal of impurities in a mixturecomprising one or more components of interest, have been developed andare currently used in a large number of applications in fields such asmedicine and manufacturing.

Separations differentiate among constituents in a mixture based ondifferences in chemical properties or physical properties such as size,shape, mass, density, or chemical affinity, between the constituents ofa mixture. Separation processes are often classified according to theparticular differences they use to achieve separation. If no singledifference can be used to accomplish a desired separation, multipleoperations will often be performed in combination to achieve a desiredend.

Despite development of various methods, separation of mixtures ofstructurally similar components can still be challenging.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are molecular sieves mediated unsaturated hydrocarbonseparation and related materials, compositions, methods and systems thatin several embodiments allow separation of mixtures of unsaturatedhydrocarbons having a similar molecular weight, molecular structureand/or polarity.

In particular, methods and systems and related materials andcompositions that are based on the use of a 10-ring pore molecular sieveto separate an eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon from ahydrocarbon mixture further comprising additional nonlinear unsaturatedC₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8, The 10-ring pore molecular sieveherein described has a sieving channel with a 10-ring sieving aperturewith a minimum crystallographic free diameter greater than 3 Å and amaximum crystallographic free diameter to minimum crystallographic freediameter ratio between 1 and 2. The 10-ring pore molecular sieve hereindescribed has a T1/T2 ratio≥20:1 wherein T1 is an element independentlyselected from Si and Ge or a combination thereof, and T2 is an elementindependently selected from Al, B and Ga or a combination thereof. The10-ring pore molecular sieve herein described has a counterion selectedfrom NH₄ ⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ or a combination thereof.

According to a first aspect, a method to separate an eight-memberedmonocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon at an initial concentration C_(i),from a hydrocarbon mixture further comprising additional nonlinearunsaturated C₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8 the method comprisingproviding a 10-ring pore molecular sieve herein described having asieving channel with a 10-ring sieving aperture with a minimumcrystallographic free diameter greater than 3 Å and a ratio of themaximum crystallographic free diameter to the minimum crystallographicfree diameter between 1 and 2. In the method the molecular sieve has aT1/T2 ratio≥20:1 wherein T1 is an element independently selected from Siand Ge or a combination thereof, and T2 is an element independentlyselected from Al, B and Ga or a combination thereof. In the method the10-ring pore molecular sieve further having a counterion selected fromNH₄ ⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ or a combination thereof. The methodfurther comprises contacting the hydrocarbon mixture with the 10-ringpore molecular sieve at a temperature of −20° C. to 60° C. for a timeand under conditions to obtain a sieved hydrocarbon mixture comprisingthe eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon at a separationconcentration C_(s)>C_(i).

According to a second aspect, a sieved hydrocarbon mixture is describedthat is obtainable by separating an eight-membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbon mixture further comprisingadditional nonlinear unsaturated C₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8, withmethods herein described.

According to a third aspect, a method is described to provide aneight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon starting fromprecursors of the an eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon,the method comprising reacting the precursors to provide theeight-membered simple-ring cyclic olefinic hydrocarbon in a hydrocarbonmixture comprising C₈H_(2m) nonlinear olefinic hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8.The method further comprises contacting the hydrocarbon mixture with a10-ring pore molecular sieve herein the described. In the method, the10-ring pore molecular sieve has a sieving channel with a 10-ringsieving aperture with a minimum crystallographic free diameter greaterthan 3 Å and a ratio of the maximum crystallographic free diameter tothe minimum crystallographic free diameter between 1 and 2 In themethod, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve has a T1/T2 ratio≥20:1 whereinT1 is an element independently selected from Si, and Ge or a combinationthereof, and T2 is an element independently selected from Al, B, and Gaor a combination thereof. In the method, the 10-ring pore molecularsieve has the 10-ring pore molecular sieve further having a counterionselected from NH₄ ⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ or a combination thereof. Inthe method, the contacting performed at a temperature of −20° C. to 60°C. for a time and under conditions to provide a sieved hydrocarbonmixture comprising the eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbonat a separation concentration C_(s)≥99.3% wt.

According to a fourth aspect, a system is described to provide aneight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon starting fromprecursors the eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon, thesystem comprising one or more precursor of the eight-membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon; and a 10-ring pore molecular sieve herein thedescribed. In the system, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve has a sievingchannel with a 10-ring sieving aperture with a minimum crystallographicfree diameter greater than 3 Å and a ratio of the maximumcrystallographic free diameter to the minimum crystallographic freediameter between 1 and 2. In the system, the 10-ring pore molecularsieve has a T1/T2 ratio≥20:1 wherein T1 is an element independentlyselected from Si, and Ge or a combination thereof, and T2 is an elementindependently selected from Al, B, and Ga or a combination thereof. Inthe system, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve has a counterion selectedfrom NH₄ ⁺, Li, Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ or a combination thereof. In thesystem, the one or more precursors and the 10-ring pore molecular sieveare comprised for sequential use in the method to provide aneight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon herein described.

According to a fifth aspect, a hydrocarbon mixture comprising aneight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon and additionalnonlinear unsaturated C₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8, theeight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon comprised in thehydrocarbon mixture at a concentration of at least 99.3% wt, or at least99.5% wt, at least 99.7% wt, at least 99.8% wt, at least 99.9% wt or atleast 99.99%.

According to a sixth aspect, a method is described to provide ahydrocarbon polymer starting from a hydrocarbon mixture comprising aneight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon and additionalnonlinear unsaturated C₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8, the methodcomprising contacting the hydrocarbon mixture with a 10-ring poremolecular sieve herein described. In the method, the 10-ring poremolecular sieve has a sieving channel with a 10-ring sieving aperturewith a minimum crystallographic free diameter greater than 3 Å and aratio of the maximum crystallographic free diameter to the minimumcrystallographic free diameter between 1 and 2. In the method, the10-ring pore molecular sieve has a T1/T2 ratio≥20:1 wherein T1 is anelement independently selected from Si, and Ge or a combination thereof,and T2 is an element independently selected from Al, B, and Ga or acombination thereof. In the method, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve hasa counterion selected from NH₄ ⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ or a combinationthereof. In the method contacting the hydrocarbon mixture with a 10-ringpore molecular sieve is performed at a temperature of −20° C. to 60° C.for a time and under conditions to provide a sieved hydrocarbon mixturecomprising the eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon at aseparation concentration C_(s)≥99.3% wt. The method further comprisescontacting the sieved hydrocarbon mixture with a polymerization catalystfor a time and under condition to allow the eight-membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon to polymerize thus forming the hydrocarbonpolymer.

According to a seventh aspect, a system is described to provide apolymer starting from a hydrocarbon mixture comprising an eight-memberedmonocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon and additional nonlinear unsaturatedC₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8, the system comprising a 10-ring poremolecular sieve and a polymerization catalyst. In the system the 10-ringpore molecular sieve has a sieving channel with a 10-ring sievingaperture with a minimum crystallographic free diameter greater than 3 Åand a ratio of the maximum crystallographic free diameter to the minimumcrystallographic free diameter between 1 and 2. In the system the10-ring pore molecular sieve has a T1/T2 ratio≥20:1 wherein T1 is anelement independently selected from Si, and Ge or a combination thereof,and T2 is an element independently selected from Al, B, and Ga or acombination thereof. In the system the 10-ring pore molecular sieve hasa counterion selected from NH₄ ⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ or a combinationthereof. In the system the 10-ring pore molecular sieve and thepolymerization catalyst are comprised for sequential use in the methodto provide a polymer comprising at least one eight-membered cyclichydrocarbon ring monomer starting from hydrocarbon mixture hereindescribed.

According to an eighth aspect, a method is described to provide ahydrocarbon polymer starting from precursors of an eight-memberedmonocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon, the method comprising reacting theprecursors to provide the an eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon in a hydrocarbon mixture further comprising additionalnonlinear unsaturated C₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8. The methodfurther comprises contacting the hydrocarbon mixture with a 10-ring poremolecular sieve herein described. In the method, the 10-ring poremolecular sieve has a sieving channel with a 10-ring sieving aperturewith a minimum crystallographic free diameter greater than 3 Å and amaximum crystallographic free diameter to minimum crystallographic freediameter ratio between 1 and 2. In the method, the 10-ring poremolecular sieve has a T1/T2 ratio≥20:1 wherein T1 is an elementindependently selected from Si, and Ge or a combination thereof, and T2is an element independently selected from Al, B, and Ga or a combinationthereof. In the method, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve has acounterion selected from NH₄ ⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ or a combinationthereof. In the method, contacting the hydrocarbon mixture with a10-ring pore molecular sieve is performed at a temperature of −20° C. to60° C. for a time and under conditions to provide a sieved hydrocarbonmixture comprising the an eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon at a separation concentration C_(s)≥99.3% wt. The methodfurther comprises contacting the sieved hydrocarbon mixture with apolymerization catalyst for a time and under condition to allow theeight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon to polymerize thusforming the hydrocarbon polymer.

According to a ninth aspect, a system is described to provide a polymerstarting from precursors of an eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon, the system comprising one or more precursors of aneight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon, a 10-ring poremolecular sieve and a polymerization catalyst. In the system, the10-ring pore molecular sieve has a sieving channel with a 10-ringsieving aperture with a minimum crystallographic free diameter greaterthan 3 Å and a ratio of the maximum crystallographic free diameter tothe minimum crystallographic free diameter between 1 and. In the system,the 10-ring pore molecular sieve has a T1/T2 ratio≥20:1 wherein T1 is anelement independently selected from Si, and Ge or a combination thereof,and T2 is an element independently selected from Al, B, and Ga or acombination thereof. In the system, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve hasa counterion selected from NH₄ ⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ or a combinationthereof. In the system, the one or more precursors of an eight-memberedmonocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve andthe polymerization catalyst for sequential use in the method to providea polymer starting from precursors of an eight-membered cyclichydrocarbon ring monomer herein described.

The molecular sieves mediated olefin separation method and relatedmaterials, compositions and systems allow in some embodiments toseparate cyclic olefins such as cyclooctene, cyclooctadiene,cyclooctatriene, cyclooctatetraene and cyclododecatriene with a higherpurity and/or yield compared to purity and yields achievable withseparation performed with conventional methods.

The molecular sieves mediated olefin separation herein described andrelated materials, compositions, methods and systems, allow in someembodiments to obtain highly-pure reagents or monomers that undergouseful reactions with high fidelity.

In particular, the molecular sieves mediated olefin separation hereindescribed and related materials, compositions, methods and systems allowin some embodiments to obtain prepare highly-pure monomers thatpolymerize at extremely-low catalyst loadings to give controlled,high-molecular weight functionalized polymers with high fidelity.

The molecular sieves mediated olefin separation herein described andrelated materials, compositions, methods and systems allow in someembodiments to provide simple, cost-effective purification methods toremove impurities from cyclic olefin monomers such as cyclooctene,cyclooctadiene and cyclododecatriene.

The molecular sieves mediated olefin separation, herein described andrelated compositions, materials, methods, and systems can be used inseveral embodiments in connection with applications wherein separationof cyclic olefins with high purity is desirable, including but notlimited to manufacturing of polymers, catalysts and other fine chemicalssuitable to be used in applications such as fuels and more particularlycrude oils and refined fuels, inks, paints, cutting fluids, drugs,lubricants, pesticides and herbicides as well adhesive processing aids,personal care products (e.g. massage oils or other non-aqueouscompositions) and additional applications which are identifiable by askilled person. Additional applications comprise industrial processes inwhich reduction of flow resistance, mist control, lubrication, and/orcontrol of viscoelastic properties (for example, to improve theviscosity index of a non-polar composition) of a non-polar compositionand in particular a liquid non-polar composition is desired.

The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forthin the accompanying drawings and the detailed description and examplesbelow. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from thedetailed description, examples and drawings, and from the appendedclaims

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure and, together with the detailed description and theexamples, serve to explain the principles and implementations of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic summary of the features of the exemplarymolecular sieve ZSM-5 from Atlas of Zeolites Framework Types by Ch.Baerlocher W. M. Meier and D. H Olson, Sixth Edition Elsevier.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic summary of the features of the exemplarymolecular sieve Apo-11 from Atlas of Zeolites Framework Types by Ch.Baerlocher W. M. Meier and D. H Olson, Sixth Edition Elsevier.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic summary of the features of molecular sieveFerrierite from Atlas of Zeolites Framework Types by Ch. Baerlocher W.M. Meier and D. H Olson, Sixth Edition Elsevier.

FIG. 4 shows proton NMR spectra of a mixture of COD and VCH before andafter borane-tetrahydrofuran (BH₃.THF) treatment using conventionalprocedure.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary implementation ofmethods herein described wherein the schematically that VCH passesthrough pore opening of a zeolite and was trapped retained inside thepores, in contrast COD is not absorbed into the pores of the samezeolite, causing removal and separation of VCH from a mixture containingCOD and VCH.

FIG. 6 shows proton NMR spectra of a mixture of COD and VCH before andafter zeolite ZSM-5 treatment according to some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a synthesis of di-TE PCOD viatwo-stage ROMP of COD as the benchmark reaction for the influence of thepurity of VCH-free COD.

FIG. 8 shows a synthesis of a CTA with only one tert-butyl ester on eachside (compound 10), with the conditions being: (a) 2.2 eq. of 2 or 2′,K₂CO₃, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), 80° C., 5 h; (b) 4 eq. of LiAlH₄,THF, R.T., overnight; (c) 6 eq. of 2 or 2′, 6 eq. of PPh₃, 6 eq. ofDIAD, THF, 0° C. then 40° C., overnight; (d) 8 eq. of LiAlH₄, THF, R.T.,overnight; (c) 12 eq. of 3, 12 eq. of PPh₃, 12 eq. of DIAD, THF, 0° C.then 40° C., overnight.

FIG. 9 shows a list of molecular sieves with related features from Atlasof Zeolites Framework Types by Ch. Baerlocher W. M. Meier and D. HOlson, Sixth Edition Elsevier.

FIG. 10 shows TGA results of ZSM-5 23:1, ZSM-5 28:1, ZSM-5 50:1, ZSM-580:1, and zeolite ferrierite.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary process to convert aprecursor to a desired sieved hydrocarbon mixture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Provided herein is a molecular sieve mediated olefin separation andrelated materials, compositions, methods and systems that in severalembodiments allow separation of mixtures of cyclic olefins having asimilar molecular weight and molecular structure.

The term “molecular sieves” as used herein refers to a crystallineporous solid having interconnected channels of same or different sizesdefined by rings of tetrahedra forming the crystalline structure of thesolid. A tetrahedron is the basic building unit of a molecular sieve andeach tetrahedron is formed by a central atom with relatively lowelectronegativity, e.g., Si(IV), Ge(IV) Al(III), B(III), Ga(III), P(V),and Zn(II) (also identified as T-atom) and oxygen anions occupying thecorners of the tetrahedron. These combinations can be depicted as[SiO₄], [AlO₄], [PO₄], etc.

In a molecular sieve, the tetrahedra formed by various combinations ofT-atoms according to the material of the sieve, are linked via theapical oxygen (T-O-T) to form rings of tetrahedra of different sizes. Ingeneral, a ring containing n tetrahedral T-atoms is called an “n-ring.”The most common n-rings contain 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, or 12 tetrahedra, butmaterials with rings formed of 14, 18, up to 20 tetrahedra have beenprepared. Materials with 3-, 7- or 9-rings, are rare as will beunderstood by a skilled person.

In a molecular sieve, the n-rings form part of the crystalline structureof the molecular sieve also indicated as crystalline framework of themolecular sieves. Crystalline frameworks can be grouped according to“framework types” as would be understood by a skilled person. The term“framework type”, as used herein with reference to of a molecular sievehaving a framework formed by one or more T-atoms indicates the idealizedstructure of the framework provided by replacing the T-atoms of theframework with Si T-atoms only. Accordingly, an unlimited numbermolecular sieves with different T-atoms and different compositions canand do have a same framework type as will be understood by a skilledperson. The structure commission of the International ZeoliteAssociation (IZA) periodically reviews publications containing newtetrahedral frameworks and assigns a “three-letter code” to eachdistinct new framework type (see e.g. SZR, MTT, TON, MWW, MFI, ETL, FER,MEL, EUO, LAU and others identifiable by a skilled person). At thefiling date of the present disclosure, there are at least 176 differentframework types with assigned three-letter codes. Description of aspecific molecular sieve typically includes the framework type and theselection of T-atoms as will be understood by a skilled person.

In a molecular sieve, the n-rings forming part of the crystallineframework) define cavities, channels and other structures such as chainsand cages, as will be understood by a skilled person.

The term “cavity” as used herein refers to a polyhedral enclosure formedby n-rings with the largest of the n-rings forming the enclosuredefining an opening (herein also “aperture’) which allows the passage ofmolecules larger than water to move in and out of the polyhedralenclosure. Accordingly, an “aperture” as used herein indicate an openingof a cavity which allows the passage of molecules larger than water tomove in and out of the cavity. In a molecular sieve, cavities can beconnected one to another to form “channels”.

The term “channel” as used herein refers to a plurality of connectedcavities infinitely extended in at least one dimension. The “minimumaperture” of a channel refers to the smallest aperture of the channel.The “pore” of a channel refers to the crystallographic cross sectionthrough which a molecule can pass at the minimum aperture of a channel.

In a molecular sieve, the minimum aperture of a channel limits the sizeof molecules that can diffuse along the channel. In a sieve, the channelhaving the largest minimum aperture compared to the other channels ofthe sieve, is herein also called “sieving channel”. A sieving channel ofa particular molecular sieve has a minimum aperture herein alsoindicated as “sieving aperture” which defines the minimum dimension ofthe compounds that can be sieved with that particular molecular sieve.Additional channels can be comprised in the molecular sieves thatinterconnect with one or more sieving channels. Those additionalchannels can be sieving channels and/or “venting channels” which arechannels other than a sieving channel that intersects with the sievingchannel. Venting channels provide a path for small adsorbates to leavethe sieving channel. In a molecular sieve, sieving channels and/orventing channels can be interconnected to form a 3D, or a 2D channelnetwork. The existence, number and orientation of channels, includingsieving channels, in a particular molecular sieve is determined by itsframework type. The framework type specifies the number of T-atoms inthe n-ring that encloses the minimum aperture of a channel in anymolecular sieve having that framework type.

In a molecular sieve, channels and in particular sieving channels can becharacterized by their crystallographic diameter. The “crystallographicdiameter” of a channel as used herein indicates the crystallographicdistance between centers of oxygen atoms at opposite sides of the n-ringthat forms the minimum aperture of a channel. The “crystallographic freediameter” of a channel as used herein is 2.7 Å less than thecrystallographic diameter of the channel. This value is chosen based onthe ionic radius of oxygen, which is approximately 1.35 Å. In general,the minimum aperture of a channel is not circular. Therefore, a channelis usually characterized by two crystallographic free diameters, and inparticular by the diameter defined by the smallest crystallographicdistance between centers of oxygen atoms at opposite sides of the n-ringthat forms the minimum aperture of a channel (minimum crystallographicfree diameter) and the diameter defined by the largest crystallographicdistance between centers of oxygen atoms at opposite sides of the n-ringthat forms the minimum aperture of a channel (maximum crystallographicfree diameter). The values of minimum and maximum crystallographicdiameters are identifiable by a skilled person. In particular, theminimum and maximum crystallographic free diameters of the sievingchannel for each specific framework type is tabulated by the StructureCommission of the International Zeolite Association and described forexample in the periodical publication Atlas of Zeolites Framework Types,Published regularly by Elsevier. The Sixth Edition of Atlas of ZeolitesFramework Types by Ch. Baerlocher W. M. Meier and D. H Olson inparticular is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Molecular sieves can be categorized based on the minimum aperture oftheir respective sieving channel. Accordingly, a molecular sieve inwhich the sieving channel has minimum aperture defined by a 8-ring isidentified as an “8-ring molecular sieve” or a “small-pore molecularsieve,” and a molecular sieve in which the sieving channel has a minimumaperture defined by a 10-ring is identified as a “10-ring molecularsieves” or a “medium-pore molecular sieve,” and a molecular sieve inwhich the sieving channel has a minimum aperture defined by a 12-ring isidentified as a “12-ring molecular sieve” or “large-pore molecularsieve.” The precise size and shape of the pore of a specific channel ina specific molecular sieve depends on the framework type, selection ofT-atoms, counter ion and temperature. Nevertheless, the typical valuesof the free diameters show an increasing trend with increasing numbersof tetrahedra encircling the largest pore of a channel with“small-pore,” “medium-pore” and “large-pore” zeolites having freediameters of approximately 4.0 Å, 5.6 Å and 7.6 Å, respectively.

A schematic of exemplary 10-ring molecular sieves from Atlas of ZeolitesFramework Types by Ch. Baerlocher W. M. Meier and D. H Olson sixthedition inclusive of information concerning their respective minimum andmaximum crystallographic free diameters are reported with the respectiveframework type in FIGS. 1 to 3.

Molecular sieves in the sense of the disclosure can also be categorizedbased on the ratios of the elements which form the T-atoms of thetetrahedra in view of the actual material forming the molecular sieve.Several molecular sieves comprise two T-atoms selected among trivalent,tetravalent or pentavalent elements and the related structure can becharacterized by the related ratio as will be understood by a skilledperson. For example, molecular sieves in the sense of the disclosurecomprise crystalline metal aluminosilicates having a three-dimensionalinterconnecting network of silica and alumina tetrahedrals presentingoxygens on their apices, also indicated as zeolites as well asadditional sieves such as borosilicates, gallogermanates, and many othermaterials that have an open three-dimensional network of 4-connectedtetrahedra. Zeolites, borosilicates, and gallogermanates can becharacterized by the respective Si/Al, Si/B and Ge/Ga ratios as will beunderstood by a skilled person.

Molecular sieves in the sense of the disclosure can comprise one or morecations also indicated as “counterions” to neutralize negative chargesintroduced by having tetrahedrals formed by trivalent rather thantetravalent T-atoms. Common counterions include sodium ion (Na⁺),potassium ion (K⁺), ammonium ion (NH₄ ⁺), calcium ion (Ca⁺⁺), and proton(H⁺). Selection of a proper counterion in a zeolite framework can beachieved, as understood by a skilled person in the art, by using anaqueous mineralizing medium with the desired cation in the hydrothermalsynthesis of a zeolite or by subsequent ion exchange (see Cundy and Cox,Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2005, 82(1-2), 1-78.). Typicallymolecular sieves are synthesized by combining non-molecular buildingblocks such as alumina and silica with a chosen alkali metal hydroxideand water, then incubating the mixture in the presence of organicchemicals called Structure Directing Agents (SDAs) in an enclosedenvironment at an appropriate temperature in the range 50-200° C. for anappropriate period of time. The SDA is selected such that it influencesthe self-assembly of the molecular sieve toward a desired frameworktype. The final structure is a product of synthetic conditions andpost-synthetic treatment, including the conditions used to decompose andremove the SDA and subsequent ion exchange to introduce a desiredcounterion.

Molecular sieves in the sense of the disclosure can also comprise waterand the molecular sieves can also have a water content referred to asthe weight fraction of water bound to the interior of a zeolite (such ascavities and channels) by interactions of physical nature in a zeolite(see Esposito et al., Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2015, 202,36-43). The water content of a zeolite can be experimentally determinedby measuring the weight loss of a zeolite sample due to heating toelevated temperature (such as 600° C.) under inert atmosphere usingthermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and additional methods as will beunderstood by a skilled person. The ratio of trivalent T-atoms totetravalent T-atoms correlates with the number of negatively chargedsites on the inorganic crystal framework. Increasing the number ofcharges sites on the framework tends to increase the amount of waterabsorbed by a molecular sieve and tends to increase the difficulty ofdriving water out of the pores to make them available for sieving thehydrocarbon molecules of the present invention.

Molecular sieves in the sense of the disclosure can be used in methodsand systems herein described to perform separation of an eight-memberedmonocyclic ring unsaturated hydrocarbon from a mixture of unsaturatedhydrocarbons as will be understood by a skilled person.

The word “separation” as used herein indicates a process directed toconvert a mixture of chemical substances into two or more distinctproduct mixtures, at least one of which is enriched in one or more ofthe mixture's constituents. In particular, the word separation as usedherein indicates a process that removes, isolates, separates, enrichesor depletes one or more substances from a mixture by methods thatinvolve differences in the chemical or physical properties of thesubstances involved, such as extraction, distillation, selectivesieving, and selective chemical consumption of undesired components. Thegoals of performing a separation process include increasingconcentrations of desired components in a mixture and reducingconcentrations of undesired components that can interfere with anintended application of the desired component or components in amixture. While distillation is the most commonly used method to separatehydrocarbons with different boiling points, selective adsorption byordered porous materials such as a molecular sieve is known to a skilledperson in the art as an effective method to separate hydrocarbonmolecules that have similar molecular weights and boiling points yetdifferent size or shape. A skilled person in the art can understand thatselective reaction can also be used to separate hydrocarbon isomers withsame molecular weight and difference in boiling points≤30° C. (which istoo low to allow efficient separation using distillation). Approaches toovercome this difficulty by preferentially consuming the undesiredcomponent or components using a chemical reaction are exemplified in Jiet al., Macromolecules 2004, 37, 5485-5489: the fact that terminaldouble bonds (also known as vinyl groups) react faster withborane-tetrahydrofuran (BH₃.THF) than non-terminal double bonds by afactor of 14 was used to remove 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene (VCH), which is anisomer of cis,cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD) present in the commerciallyavailable COD at 0.2-0.5 wt % and has a boiling point 20° C. lower thanthat of COD, from COD with a 40% loss of COD in the process.

The wording unsaturated hydrocarbons as used herein indicateshydrocarbons that have double or triple covalent bonds between adjacentcarbon atoms. In particular unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least onecarbon-to-carbon double bond are called alkenes or olefins and thosewith at least one carbon-to-carbon triple bond are called alkynes. Theword “olefin” as used herein indicates a compound also called alkene,formed by hydrogen and carbon and containing one or more pairs of carbonatoms linked by a double bond. Unsaturated hydrocarbons are morereactive than alkanes due to the reactivity of the carbon-carbon doublebond or carbon-carbon triple bond and the presence of allylic C—Hcenters. Unsaturated hydrocarbons can be classified based on the numberof double bonds or triple bonds in the compounds (see e.g. monoolefinsor monoalkyne, diolefins or dialkynes, triolefins trialkynes, etc., inwhich the number of double bonds or triple bonds per molecule is,respectively, one, two, three, or some other number). Olefins can alsobe classified based on cys-trans-isomerism of H or C atoms with respectto at least one non-terminal double bond given that fact that a doublebond cannot rotate: if the two hydrogen atoms attached to acarbon-carbon double bond are on the same side of the said double bond,the isomer is a cis olefin; if the two hydrogen atoms lie on oppositeside of the double bond, the isomer is a trans olefin.

Unsaturated hydrocarbons can also be classified as cyclic or acyclicunsaturated hydrocarbons, in which the double bond is located betweencarbon atoms forming part of a cyclic (closed-ring) or of an acyclic(open-chain) grouping, respectively. In particular, the wording “cyclicunsaturated hydrocarbons” as used herein indicates a type of alkene oralkyne hydrocarbon which is both aliphatic and cyclic, having at leastone closed unsaturated ring of carbon atoms but do not have aromaticcharacter. The term “monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon” or “monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon” as used herein refers to cyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbons where the carbon atoms forming part of a cyclic groupingare within a single closed ring which has one or more pairs of carbonatoms linked by a double bond or triple bond. Examples of monocycliccycloalkenes are cyclopropene, cyclobutene, cyclopentene,cyclopentadiene, cyclohexene, cyclohexadiene, cycloheptene,cycloheptadiene, cyclooctene, cyclooctadiene. Some cycloalkenes, such ascyclobutene, cyclopentene and cyclooctadiene can be used as monomers toproduce polymer chains. Due to geometrical considerations, smallercycloalkenes are typically cis isomers, even if the term cis tends to beomitted from the names. In larger rings (from around 8 atoms), cis-transisomerism of the double bond can occur.

The term “bicyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon” as used herein refers tohydrocarbon compounds in which the carbon atoms forming part of a cyclicgrouping are contained in two rings having at least one common carbonatom, and at least one pair of carbon atoms in at least one of the tworings is linked by a double bond or a triple bond. Structures that havetwo rings that share one or more carbon atoms may be designated byspecialized names: “spiro” if the two rings share one carbon atom,“fused” if the two rings share two adjacent carbon atoms, and “bicycle”if the two rings share non-adjacent carbon atoms. Examples of C₈H₁₂bicyclic olefins are bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-2-ene andbicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-ene.

Cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon can be categorized based on the totalnumber of carbon atoms in the compound which is indicated. Inparticular, cyclic or acrylic unsaturated carbons haveC_(n)H_(2(n-k-j+1)) wherein n is the total number of C atoms in theunsaturated carbon atoms, k is the degree of unsaturation (1 for adouble bond, 2 for a triple bond) in the olefins and j is the number ofrings in the unsaturated hydrocarbon. Cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbonscan be categorized based on the number of carbon atoms in each of theone or more closed rings of carbon atoms. For example, unsaturatedmonocyclic hydrocarbons can be can be categorized in 10-memberedmonocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons, 9-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbons 8-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons, 6-memberedmonocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons and so on, based on the number ofcarbon atoms forming the single ring of the monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon.

Unsaturated hydrocarbons, and in particular cyclic olefins, that have asame total number of carbon atoms and a same number of rings havestructure, molecular weight and polarity that are very similar (within a5% range) which makes the related separation particularly challenging.In particular eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon can bechallenging to separate from mixtures further including otherunsaturated monocyclic hydrocarbons having the same total number carbonatoms.

In embodiments herein described, a method is described to separateeight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbonmixture comprising further comprising additional nonlinear unsaturatedC₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8.

A “hydrocarbon mixture” in the sense of the disclosure indicates acomposition comprising hydrocarbons with various number of carbon atomsand degree of saturation. Hydrocarbons that can be part of a hydrocarbonmixture comprise linear branched or cyclic, alkane, alkene, alkyne aswell as aromatic hydrocarbon as will be understood by a skilled person.A hydrocarbon mixture can be solid, liquid or gaseous depending on thecomposition of the mixture.

In embodiments herein describe a hydrocarbon mixture comprises C₈H_(2m)hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8, wherein m=n-k-j+1, which comprises non-linearunsaturated hydrocarbons having a total of C atoms n=8. Non-linearunsaturated hydrocarbons of the C₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons comprise inparticular, cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons and unsaturated hydrocarbonswith at least one branch, and possibly two, or four branches. In thehydrocarbon mixture, one of the C₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons is aneight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon and in particular aneight-membered monocyclic olefin.

In particular, methods and systems herein embodiments herein describedare directed to separate the eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon from the hydrocarbon mixture further comprising additionalnonlinear unsaturated C₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8.

In particular, in some embodiments, the eight-membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon can have one, two, three, or four double bondsor one or two triple bonds. In particular, in some embodiments, one ormore of the 8-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons can be anyone of compounds 1-10.

In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon mixture comprises one or more eightmembered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons in various combinations.The total concentration of the one or more eight membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon mixture to be subjected toseparation is herein indicated as C_(i) which is the initialconcentration of eight membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons andcan be typically expressed in terms of weight percent or mole percent.

In methods herein described the method is directed to separateeight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbonmixture further comprising additional nonlinear unsaturated C₈H_(2m)hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8, which can comprise three-membered,four-membered five-membered and six-membered monocyclic or bicyclicunsaturated hydrocarbons and in particular, three-membered,four-membered five-membered and six-membered monocyclic or bicyclicolefins.

In some embodiments, the three-membered to six-membered cyclic olefinscan have formula (I)

-   -   wherein    -   represents a single bond, or a double bond;    -   r1 represents 1 to 4;    -   R10, R11 and R12 are independently selected from H, C1 to C5        linear, branched or cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, or an alkynyl groups,        wherein the R11 and R12 are on a same carbon or a different        carbon of a ring, and wherein R10, R11 and R12 together contain        (6-r1) carbon atoms.

In some embodiments, Formula (I) has a chemical formula of C₈H₁₂,wherein r1 is 4, the Formula (I) includes the Formula (I)(6a) toFormulas (I)(6a) to (I)(6k)

In some embodiments, Formula (I) has a chemical formula of C₈H₁₂, andwherein r1 is 3, the Formula (I) includes the Formula (I)(5a) toFormulas (I)(a) to (I)(5f)

In some embodiments, Formula (I) has a chemical formula of C₈H₁₂, andwherein r1 is 2, the Formula (I) includes the Formula (I)(4a) toFormulas (I)(a) to (I)(4g)

In some embodiments, Formula (I) has a chemical formula of C8H10, andwherein r1 is 4, the Formula (I) includes the Formula (I)(6l) toFormulas (I)(6t)

In some embodiments, Formula (I) has a chemical formula of C8H10, andwherein r1 is 3, the Formula (I) includes the Formula (I)(5g) toFormulas (I)(5j)

In some embodiments, Formula (I) has a chemical formula of C8H10, andwherein r1 is 1, the Formula (I) includes the Formula (I)(3a) toFormulas (I)(3b)

In some embodiments, the three-membered to six-membered cyclic olefinsof a hydrocarbon mixture herein described have formula (II)

-   -   wherein    -   represents a single bond, or a double bond;    -   r2, r3 and r4 each represents 0 to 4, wherein r2, r3 and r4        together is 2 to 6, and r2+r3, r3+r4 and r2+r4 are 0 to 4;    -   R20, R21 are independently selected from H, C1 to C4 linear,        branched or cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, groups, wherein the        R20 and R21 are on a same or a different carbon of a ring and        wherein R20 and R21 together contain (6-r2-r3-r4) carbon atoms.

In some embodiments, the three-membered to six-membered cyclic olefinsof Formula (II) can have chemical formula of C₈H₁₂, and in some of theseembodiments when r2 equals to 0, the Formula (II) can include theFormula (II)(a) to Formulas (II)(d)

In some embodiments, the three-membered to six-membered cyclic olefinsof Formula (II) can have chemical formula of C₈H₁₂, and Formula (II) andin some of these embodiments when r2 is 1, the Formula (II) can includethe Formula (II)(e) to Formulas (II)(g)

In some embodiments, the three-membered to six-membered cyclic olefinsof Formula (II) can have chemical formula of C₈H₁₂, and in some of theseembodiments when r2 is 2, the Formula (II) include Formula (II)(j)

In some embodiments, the three-membered to six-membered cyclic olefinsof Formula (II) can have chemical formula of C₈H₁₀, and in some of theseembodiments when r2 is 0, Formula (II) can include the Formula (II)(k)to Formulas (II)(p)

In some embodiments, the three-membered to six-membered cyclic olefinsof Formula (II) can have chemical formula of C₈H₁₀, and in some of theseembodiments when r2 is 1, the Formula (II) includes Formula (II)(s)

In some embodiments, C8 acyclic olefins have formula (III)

-   -   wherein R30 to R35 are independently selected from H, C1 to C6        linear, branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, groups, wherein R30 to        R35 represent separate groups or any two of R30 to R32 or R33 to        R35 include at least one tertiary or quaternary carbon, wherein        R30 to R35 together contains 6 carbons.

In some embodiments, the three-membered to six-membered cyclic olefinsof Formula (III) can have chemical formula of C₈H₁₀, and can includecompounds of Formula (III)(a) to Formulas (III)(f)

In some embodiments, the three-membered to six-membered cyclic olefinsof Formula (III) C₈H₁₂, and can include compounds of Formula (III)(r) toFormulas (III)(v)

In methods to separate nonlinear unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds areseparated from the hydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon mixture is contactedwith a 10-ring pore molecular sieve having a sieving channel with a10-ring sieving aperture with a minimum crystallographic free diametergreater than 3 Å and a maximum crystallographic free diameter to minimumcrystallographic free diameter ratio between 1 and 2.

In some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve can have a minimumcrystallographic free diameter of the sieving aperture of the sievingchannel, equal to or higher than 4.0 Å, or equal to or higher than 4.5Å, equal to or higher than 5 Å, or less than 6 Å.

In some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve can have a maximumcrystallographic free diameter to minimum crystallographic free diameterratio of the sieving aperture between 1.1 and 1.20, or between 1.21 to1.40, or between 1.41 to 1.80.

In some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve can have a maximumcrystallographic free diameter to minimum crystallographic free diameterratio of the sieving aperture of 1.1, or 1.25, or 1.5.

In some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve can have a minimumcrystallographic free diameter of the sieving aperture is equal to orgreater than 4.0 Å to less than 4.5 Å and a maximum crystallographicfree diameter to minimum crystallographic free diameter ratio of thesieving aperture of 1.25 to 1.5 (herein 10-ring pore narrow molecularsieve).

In some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve can have a minimumcrystallographic free diameter of the sieving aperture equal to orgreater than 4.5 Å to less than 5 Å and a maximum crystallographic freediameter to minimum crystallographic free diameter ratio of the sievingaperture from 1.1 to 1.25 (herein 10-ring pore intermediate molecularsieve).

In some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve can have a minimumcrystallographic free diameter of the of the sieving aperture equal toor greater than 5.0 Å to less than 6 Å and a maximum crystallographicfree diameter to minimum crystallographic free diameter ratio of thesieving aperture of 1.0 to 1.1 (herein 10-ring pore wide molecularsieve).

In some embodiments, in the 10-ring pore molecular sieve the sievingchannel is interconnected with one or more sieving and/or ventingchannels. In particular in some embodiments, the interconnected ventingchannels can be one or more 10-ring pore channels or one or more 8-ringpore channels. In some embodiments, one or more venting channels can bea 10-ring wide channel. In some embodiments, one or more ventingchannels can be 10-ring intermediate channel. In some embodiments, oneor more venting channels can be 8-ring intermediate channel. In someembodiments, one or more venting channels can be a combination of one ormore 10-ring wide channels, 10-ring intermediate channels, and 8-ringwide channels.

In preferred embodiments, the one or more sieving and/or ventingchannels can be interconnected to form a 2D network and/or morepreferably a 3D network.

In some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve can have aframework type selected from MEL, TUN, IMF, MFI, OBW, MFS and TER. Inparticular, molecular, 10-ring pore molecular sieve can be MEL or MFI.

In some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve has a MFIframework having a sieving channel and a venting 10-ring channel. Insome embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve has an OBW frameworkwith a sieving channel and one or more venting channels that are 8-ringchannels.

In some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve has a MELframework, having equally wide-10-ring sieving channels interconnectedin all three crystallographic directions (the crystallographic freediameters are 5.3 Å×5.4 Å for all of the channels). In some embodiments,the 10-ring pore molecular sieve has a TUN framework with a wide-10-ringsieving channel (5.5 Å×5.6 Å) and a wide-10-ring venting channel (5.4Å×5.5 Å), interconnected to create a three dimensional interconnectedsystem. In some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve has a IMFframework with a 5.5 Å×5.6 Å sieving channel and a number of ventingchannels that are all wide-10-ring channels (ranging from 5.3 Å×5.9 Å to4.8 Å×5.4 Å) that provide a highly accessible three dimensional network.In some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve has a MFIframework with, which has a wide-10-ring sieving channel (5.3 Å×5.6 Å)and a wide-10-ring venting channel (5.1 Å×5.5 Å), which create a threedimensional interconnected system. In some embodiments, the 10-ring poremolecular sieve has a OBW framework with a 5.0 Å×5.0 Å sieving channelthat is interconnected with 8-ring venting channels (the most open ofwhich is 3.4 Å×3.4 Å). In some embodiments, In some embodiments, the10-ring pore molecular sieve can therefore preferably have a MEL, TUN,IMF, MFI or OBW frameworks in relation to maintaining the accessibilityof the sieving channels.

In some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve has a TERframework with a wide-10-ring sieving channel (5.0 Å×5.0 Å) andintermediate-10-ring venting channel (4.8 Å×7.0 Å). In some embodiments,the 10-ring pore molecular sieve has a MFS framework with a wide-10-ringsieving channel (5.1 Å×5.4 Å) with the ability of obstructing moleculesto move out of the sieving channel being limited by the size of theopening to the 8-ring venting channel (3.3 Å×4.8 Å).

In methods herein described, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve having aT1/T2 ratio≥20:1 wherein T1 is an element independently selected fromSi, and Ge, and T2 is an element independently selected from Al, B, andGa.

In some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve can have a T1/T2ratio between 20:1 and 50:1, between 50:1 and 80:1 or between 80:1 and100:1, or between 100:1 and 400:1. In some embodiments, in the 10-ringpore molecular sieve T1 can be Si. In some embodiments the 10-ring poremolecular sieve is a zeolite and T1 is Si and T2 is Al.

In methods and systems herein described, the 10-ring pore molecularsieve can further have a counterion selected from NH₄ ⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺and Ca⁺⁺. In particular in some embodiments, the counterions can be Na⁺and K⁺.

In some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve can be ZSM-5,ZSM-11 or SUZ-4.

In some embodiments the molecular sieve can have a water content. Inparticular in some embodiments, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve canfurther have a water content up to 8% wt. In some embodiments themolecular sieve can have a water content from 0.1% to 5%. In someembodiments the molecular sieve can have a water content from 0.1% wt to2% wt. In some embodiments the molecular sieve can have a water contentfrom 0.1% wt to 1% wt.

In methods herein described, contacting the hydrocarbon mixture with the10-ring pore molecular sieve herein described is performed a temperatureof −20° C. to 60° C. In particular, in some embodiments, the contactingcan be performed between −20° C. to 0° C. in some embodiments, thecontacting can be performed between −20° C. to 25° C. In someembodiments, the contacting can be performed between 25° C. to 60° C. Insome embodiments, the contacting can be performed at room temperature(between 20° C. to 25° C.).

In methods herein described, contacting the hydrocarbon mixture with the10-ring pore molecular sieve herein described is performed for a timeand under conditions to obtain a sieved hydrocarbon mixture comprisingthe eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon component at asieved concentration C_(s)>C_(i). For example, in some embodiments, aneight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon at an initialconcentration C_(i)=70% with methods herein described can be included ina sieved hydrocarbon mixture at a C_(s)=85.2%. In some embodiments, aneight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon at an initialconcentration C_(i)=80% with methods herein described can be included ina sieved hydrocarbon mixture at a C_(s)=99.2%. In some embodiments, aneight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon at an initialconcentration C_(i)=99.2% with methods herein described can be includedin a sieved hydrocarbon mixture at a C_(s)=99.9%. An exemplaryeight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon is provided bycis,cis, 1,5-cyclooctadiene which can have a C_(i) of 80% to 99.25 andcan have a C_(s) of 99.3% to 99.9%, or a C_(s) of 99.91 to 99.99% wt.

In particular, in some embodiments, contacting the hydrocarbon mixturewith the 10-ring pore molecular sieve can be performed under an inertatmosphere and in particular under nitrogen or argon. In particular, insome embodiments, contacting the hydrocarbon mixture with the 10-ringpore molecular sieve can be performed under oxygen-free conditions.

In some embodiments, methods and systems herein provided comprisereacting precursors of the eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon to provide to provide the eight-membered simple-ring cyclicolefinic hydrocarbon component in the hydrocarbon mixture hereindescribed which is a hydrocarbon mixture comprising C₈H_(2m) nonlinearolefinic hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8.

Precursors of an eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbonsherein described comprise 1,3-butadiene, acetylene (also known asethyne), 1,5-hexadiene, barrelene, cis, 1,2-divinylcyclobutane, and1,9-decadiene.

Reactions that can result in an eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon herein described comprise nickel catalyst mediateddimerization, nickel cyanide/calcium carbide mediated tetramerization,photolysis of barrelene, catalyzed Cope rearrangement, uncatalyzed Coperearrangement, partial hydrogenation of an eight-membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon, and ring-closing metathesis.

For example, in some embodiments, performing nickel catalyst mediateddimerization of 1,3-butadiene provides an first hydrocarbon mixture ofcis,cis, 1,5-cyclooctadiene, 4 vinyl-1-cyclohexene andcis-1,2-divynil-cyclo butane. Hydrogenation of the first hydrocarbonmixture results in a second mixture cis, cyclooctene ethyl-cyclohexane,cyclooctane and 1,2 diethyl cyclobutane. The first mixture or the secondmixture can then be contacted with a 10-ring pore molecular sieve hereindescribed to obtain a sieved mixture wherein either thecis,cis,1,5-cyclooctadiene (sieved first mixture) or a eight-memberedmonocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon component comprising cis, cycloocteneand cyclooctane (sieved second mixture).

In embodiments herein described the methods of the disclosure, result ina hydrocarbon mixture wherein the eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon is comprised at a separation concentration of at least 99.3%wt and possibly at least 99.5% wt, at least 99.7% wt, at least 99.8% wtor at least 99.9% wt. Concentration of an eight-membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon can be measured by proton NMR or gaschromatography (GC) or additional techniques identifiable by a skilledperson.

In some embodiments, methods and systems herein described allowproduction of a hydrocarbon mixture comprising cis,cis,1,5-cyclooctadiene at least 99.3% wt and possibly at least 99.5% wt, atleast 99.7% wt, at least 99.8% wt or at least 99.9% wt. In someembodiments, methods and systems herein described allow production of ahydrocarbon mixture comprising cis, cis, 1,5-cyclooctadiene 99.9%.

In some embodiments, the sieved hydrocarbon mixture can be furtherreacted with other reagents to remove one or more undesired compoundsfrom the mixture. For example, in some embodiments the sievedhydrocarbon mixture can be further contacted with a synthetic magnesiumsilicate (such as commercially available Magnesol®) at room temperatureto selectively remove peroxides and hydroperoxides present in the sievedmixture (see Nickel et al., Topics in Catalysis, 2012, 55(7-10),518-523). When exposed to air, eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon react with oxygen and thus form peroxides and/orhydroperoxides at trace levels. Therefore, in some embodiments,synthetic magnesium silicates can be used in combination with amolecular sieve to further purify an eight-membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon and in particular an eight-membered monocycliccycloolefin.

In some embodiments, the sieved hydrocarbon mixture herein described canbe used in various reactions and chemical processes starting fromeight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons, such as ring-openingmetathesis polymerizations to synthesize functional polymers andcomplexation with transition metals (such as nickel, ruthenium, iridium)to form metathesis catalysts, hydrogenation catalysts for unsaturatedcompounds and polymers, carbon-carbon bond forming catalysts, andcarbon-hydrogen bonding activating catalyst. In some embodiments, sievedhydrocarbon mixture can be subjected to oxidation reaction using ozone,followed by further chemical transformations to intermediates such ascycloketones, cyclic oximes, cyclic lactams, and linear functionaleight-carboned compounds that can be further used to synthesizeintermediates and products for agricultural, pharmaceutical, and textileindustries. In particular, in some embodiments sieved eight-memberedmonocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons can be used to synthesizecaprolactam, which can be polymerized and form Nylon 8 polymers or beused to synthesize polyurethane polymers. For example in embodimentswhere the sieved hydrocarbon mixture includes eight membered monocyclicolefins, additional reactions comprise ring-opening polymerizations tosynthesize functional polymers and complexation with transition metalsto prepare catalysts or intermediates for such catalysts.

In particular, in exemplary embodiments, wherein the eight-memberedmonocyclic olefin is 1,3,5,7-Cyclooctatetraene (compound 7 or COT), the1,3,5,7-Cyclooctatetraene can react with potassium metal to form thecorresponding salt K2COT in which the COT exists as an aromatic dianion.In additional exemplary embodiments, 1,3,5,7-Cyclooctatetraene reactswith suitable transition metals to form corresponding organometalliccomplexes sandwich compounds such as U(COT)2 (uranocene), and Fe(COT)2.

Additional reactions that can be performed with sieved hydrocarbonmixture including eight membered monocyclic olefins, comprisering-opening polymerizations to synthesize functional polymers andcomplexation with transition metals to prepare catalysts orintermediates for such catalysts.

In some embodiments, the sieved hydrocarbon mixture herein described canbe used in polymerization processes. In particular in some embodiments asieved hydrocarbon mixture and in particular a hydrocarbon mixturecomprising a suitable eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbonat least 99.3% wt and possibly at least 99.5% wt, at least 99.7% wt, atleast 99.8% wt or at least 99.9% wt can be contacted with apolymerization catalyst for a time and under condition to allow theeight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon to polymerize thusforming the hydrocarbon polymer.

In some embodiments, the sieved hydrocarbon mixture can be treated witha synthetic magnesium silicate to eliminate undesired interference withthe catalyst by peroxides and hydroperoxides before contacting thesieved hydrocarbon mixture with the polymerization catalyst. In some ofthose embodiments pretreating with a synthetic magnesium silicate canresults in a polymerization reaction with a lower required catalystloading and a better conversion of the sieved hydrocarbon mixture.

In several embodiments, a hydrocarbon polymer can be provided startingfrom a hydrocarbon mixture of C₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8, thehydrocarbon mixture comprising an eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon at an initial concentration C_(i) together with at least oneadditional nonlinear unsaturated C₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8compound.

In the method, the hydrocarbon mixture is contacted with a 10-ring poremolecular sieve herein described at a temperature of −20° C. to 60° C.for a time and under conditions to provide a sieved hydrocarbon mixturecomprising the eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon at aseparation concentration Cs higher than the initial concentration Ci. Inparticular in some embodiments, the separation concentration Cs can beC_(s)≥99.3% wt.

In some embodiments, the contacting of the hydrocarbon mixture with a10-ring pore molecular sieve herein described can be performed by aselective sieving process carried out in a continuous manner. Inparticular in some embodiments, a stream of hydrocarbon mixture can becontinuous fed into a fluidized bed packed with a 10-ring pore molecularsieve herein described or a column packed with a desired 10-ring poremolecular sieve herein described to remove the undesired components andthe exit hydrocarbon mixture stream can be fed into a subsequentpolymerization reactor along with streams of other components requiredin the polymerization reaction, such as a solvent, one or morecatalysts, one or more chain-transfer agents (CTAs). In someembodiments, the exit hydrocarbon mixture stream can be also split andfed into more than one continuous polymerization reactors to performmulti-stage polymerization reactions of sieved unsaturated hydrocarbonsand in particular sieved cycloolefins. The resulting sieved hydrocarbonmixture contacted with a polymerization catalyst for a time and undercondition to allow the eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbonto polymerize thus forming the hydrocarbon polymer.

In some embodiments, the resulting sieved eight-membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon's stream is met with a stream of apolymerization catalyst solution in a solvent suitable for thepolymerization reaction at the entrance of a plug-flow type reactor (ora cylindrical-shaped reactor packed with static mixers) which allowssufficient mixing of the streams and the eight-membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon to polymerize thus forming the hydrocarbonpolymer. Optionally a stream of functional CTA solution can be fed intothe reactor if telechelic hydrocarbon polymers are the desired products.The volume and temperature of the polymerization can be determined usingthe kinetics data of the polymerization reaction and the projectedproduction rate. In the case all interfering impurities in theeight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon stream are completelysieved before the stream enters the polymerization reactor, a lowercatalyst loading is needed and higher reaction rate can be observed, andas a result the polymerization reactor can be more compact, as will beunderstood by a skilled person.

In some embodiments, the polymerization reactor can provide sufficientmixing of the eight-membered unsaturated hydrocarbon stream with thecatalyst solution and optionally the functional CTA solution streams,and the combined stream exiting the polymerization reactor enterscollection vessels where the polymerization reaction goes to completion.In some embodiments, telechelic polymers of weight-average molecularweight≥400 kg/mol are desired products, and the correspondingpolymerization is performed in a two-stage manner, which requires atwo-stage reactor as the polymerization reactor.

In some embodiments, the sieved eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon stream can be split and fed into both the first and thesecond stages at desired flow rates. The eight-membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon stream entering the first stage is met with thecatalyst solution stream and the functional CTA solution stream at theentrance, and the catalyst reacts with the eight-membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon and the CTA in the first stage reactor to form amacro chain-transfer agent (MCTA) stream. The volume of the first-stagereactor is selected to provide sufficient retention time that allows <5%of the functional CTA to remain unreacted in the exit MCTA stream. Thesieved eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon stream enteringthe second-stage reactor is met with the MCTA stream, and optionally asolvent stream and catalyst solution stream at the entrance of thesecond-stage reactor, and the combined stream forms a chain-extensionreactive mixture inside the second-stage reactor. The volume of thesecond-stage reactor is selected to provide complete mixing for theentering streams. The combined stream exiting the second-stage reactoris collected subsequently in vessels, where the polymerization reactiongoes to completion.

In some embodiments the hydrocarbon mixture is continuously passedthrough a sieving unit packed with a 10-ring pore molecular sieve, andthe exiting sieved mixture is fed into a fluidized bed packed with asynthetic magnesium silicate or a column packed with a syntheticmagnesium silicate to selectively remove peroxides and hydroperoxidesfrom the sieved olefin mixture stream. In some embodiments, afterperoxides and hydroperoxides are removed by a synthetic magnesiumsilicate the sieved olefin mixture stream is fed into a desiccating unitin order to remove moisture introduced into the olefin mixture bytreating the olefin mixture with a synthetic magnesium silicate that isnot desiccated prior to use

In some embodiments of the methods and systems herein described, use ofa sieved hydrocarbon mixture comprising an eight-membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon allows performing polymerization whileminimizing impurity-related interference with catalyst in thepolymerization of sieved eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon and leads to desired effects such as a lower requiredcatalyst loading, better control on the monomer conversions andmolecular weights of the resulting polymers, and lower production costof polymers from sieved cycloolefins. An exemplary polymerizationprocess starting from a hydrocarbon mixture in the sense of the presentdisclosure is the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of sievedcis,cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD) in the presence of a functionalchain-transfer agent (CTA), as will be understood by a skilled person inthe art (Example 3 and Example 6).

Methods and systems herein described allow in some embodimentsperforming a separation which is useful for obtaining variousunsaturated eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons and inparticular, eight-membered monocyclic olefins with arbitrarily lowconcentrations of any of the hundreds of isomers of identical molarmass, but with topology that includes three to six membered rings andbranched acyclic olefins. The separation can be performed underconditions that preserve the unsaturation of unsaturated hydrocarbon andin particular cycloolefins for their use as chemical intermediates orligands. Use of molecular sieves that have low catalytic activitypermits recovery of the separated olefins in a form that is free ofsimple ring olefins.

In some embodiment, hydrocarbon mixtures, 10-ring pore molecular sieves,precursor of eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon,additional reagents to perform the reaction resulting in eight-memberedmonocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon, one or more polymerization catalystsand/or synthetic magnesium silicate can be included in one or moresystems to perform methods herein described. In some embodiments, thesystems can be provided in the form of combination or kit of parts.

Additional materials and related methods and systems, comprising forexample kit of parts or related material herein described, comprisingsuitable reagents, vehicles or compositions, are identifiable by askilled person upon reading of the present disclosure.

In particular, further details concerning the hydrocarbon mixtures,catalysts and molecular sieves and generally manufacturing and packagingof the compositions and/or the kit, can be identified by the personskilled in the art upon reading of the present disclosure.

EXAMPLES

The hydrocarbon molecules, molecular sieves and related hydrocarbonmixtures, materials compositions, methods and systems herein describedare further illustrated in the following examples, which are provided byway of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.

The following experimental procedures and characterization data (¹H and,GPC) were used for all compounds and their precursors exemplifiedherein.

General Information.

Chemical shifts for both ¹H and ¹³C spectra are reported in per million(ppm) relative to Si(CH3)4 (δ=0) and referenced internally to the proteosolvent resonance.

Materials and Methods.

All chemical reagents were obtained at 99% purity from Sigma-Aldrich,Alfa Aesar, or Mallinckrodt Chemicals. Magnesol® XL was purchased fromThe Dallas Group of America, Inc. ¹H-NMR spectra were obtained using aVarian Inova 500 spectrometer (500 MHz); all spectra were recorded inCDCl₃. Chemical shifts were reported in parts per million (ppm) and werereferenced to residual proteo-solvent resonances. Deuterated solventused for ¹H-NMR experiments (CDCl₃) was purchased from Cambridge IsotopeLaboratories.

Example 1: Removal of VCH from cis,cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene UsingConventional Process

In an exemplary conventional purification procedure, redistilled-gradecis,cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD, 72.3 g, 0.67 mol) containing traceamount (≤0.4 wt %) of 4-vinyl-1cyclohexene was syringe-transferred to a250 ml Schlenk flask in an ice bath at 0° C. under argon atmosphere.Under argon flow, 1-Molar borane-tetrahydrofuran complex in THE(BH₃.THF, 108 mL, 0.11 mol) was slowly added into the flask through anadditional funnel over a period of 10 minutes. The flask was taken outof the ice bath, and left to stir under argon atmosphere at roomtemperature for 2 hrs. Remaining COD was vacuum-distilled off thereaction mixture at 40° C. and 100 mTorr.

Proton NMR spectrum of the resulting COD shows the concentration of VCHis below the detection limit of NMR (˜50 ppm) and some residual THF asshown in FIG. 4. The amount of residual THF in COD was further reducedby subjecting the VCH-free COD to reduced pressure (100 mTorr) at roomtemperature for 24 hrs, and proton NMR analysis showed the concentrationof THF was below 500 ppm. The yield of COD after evaporation of THF was58%.

It was therefore concluded that the VCH passes through pore opening of azeolite and was trapped retained inside the pores, in contrast COD isnot absorbed into the pores of the same zeolite, causing removal andseparation of VCH from a the initial mixture containing COD and VCH asschematically illustrated in FIG. 5. Accordingly the sieving processresulted in a sieved mixture enriched in COD as will be understood by askilled person.

Example 3: Selective Adsorption of VCH from COD by a ZSM-5 Zeolite

Redistilled-grade cis,cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD, 100 ml) containingtrace amount (≤0.4 wt %) of 4-vinyl-1cyclohexene (VCH) wassyringe-transferred to a 250 ml Schlenk flask containing 10 grams ofnon-dried ZSM-5 (Si/Al=50, ammonium counterions) under argon atmosphere.The mixture was stirred under argon atmosphere at room temperature for12 hrs.

The liquid was vacuum-distilled off from the mixture at 35° C. and 100mTorr, and the yield was 96%. Proton NMR analysis of the distillateshowed no detectable presence of VCH in COD as illustrated in FIG. 6.The cost of treating the given amount of COD with the selected zeoliteis <50% of that of the same amount of monomer.

Example 4: ROMP of COD Purified by ZSM-5 Treatment

Synthesis of di-TE PCOD (FIG. 7) was selected to test the performance ofZSM-5 treated COD in two-stage ROMP in the presence of a di-TE CTA(compound 8 in FIG. 8). VCH-free COD was prepared according to thepurification procedure described above in Example 3. A total COD-to-CTAratio of 10,000:1 was used, and 100 equivalents of COD was used in thefirst-stage reaction, macro-CTA synthesis, where a 30:1 CTA-to-Grubbs IIratio was used. Specifically, 5.4 mg of the di-TE CTA (3.7 μmol) wasdissolved in 1 mL of degassed dichloromethane (DCM) in a 100-mL Schlenkflask under argon atmosphere, followed by the addition of 0.04 g ofZSM-5 treated COD (366 μmol) and 0.1 mL of 1 mg/mL Grubbs II solution inDCM. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 1 hr. 3.96 g of ZSM-5 treatedCOD (36.2 mmol) along with 8 mL of degassed DCM were added to theSchlenk flask to start the chain extension reaction. 5 minutes later, analiquot was taken for NMR analysis, and 50 mL of oxygenated DCM wasadded into the flask to terminate the reaction. Proton NMR analysisshowed the conversion of COD was 50%, and gel-permeation chromatographyanalysis in conjunction with multi-angel laser light scattering(GPC-MALLS) showed the weight-average molecular weight (M_(w)) of theresulting di-TE PCOD was 1,050 kg/mol (PDI=1.5). Under same conditionsand conversion of COD, BH₃.THF treated COD could only afford anM_(w)≤500 kg/mol. A skilled person will understand that purifying CODwith ZSM-5 improves control of molecular weight in the ROMP procedure,which cannot be achieved in ROMP of COD treated with BH3 THF.

Example 5: Removal of Peroxides and Hydroperoxides from ZSM-5 TreatedCOD

100 mL of ZSM-5 treated COD from Example 3 was stirred with 10 grams ofoven-dried synthetic magnesium silicate, Magnesol®-XL, under argonatmosphere at room temperature for 12 hours to remove peroxides andhydroperoxides from the olefin. The liquid was separated from theadsorbent via vacuum distillation at 35° C. with a yield≥95%. The costis <1% the cost for the same amount of monomer. Magnesol®-XL treatmentimproves activity of catalyst and thus conversion of COD in ring-openingmetathesis process.

Example 6: Comparative Study of ROMP of COD Treated withBH₃.THF/5/Manesol®-XL and ZSM-5/Magnesol®-XL Procedures

To demonstrate the advantage of the invented method of selectiveadsorption of undesired unsaturated hydrocarbons from a desiredeight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon, VCH-free COD wasprepared according to the purification procedure described above inExamples 3 and 5, and the method of selective chemical consumption ofVCH by BH₃.THF described in Example 2 was used to prepare VCH-free CODas the control. The synthesis of di-DE PCOD via the two-stage ROMP ofCOD in the presence of a di-DE CTA, as shown below, was selected tofurther benchmark the performance of two different purification methodsfor COD:

In the ROMP procedure, a total COD-to-CTA ratio of 2000:1, a totalCTA-to-catalyst (here 2^(nd) generation Grubbs catalyst) of 30:1, and atotal concentration of COD in DCM of 2.52 M were used. 50 equivalents ofCOD (treated with ZSM-5 and Magnesol®-xl) were used in the first stageof ROMP to react with the CTA, and the remaining 1950 equivalents of COD(treated with ZSM-5 and Magnesol®-xl) were used in the second stagereaction. Specifically, 11.7 mg of di-DE CTA was dissolved in 2 mL ofdegassed DCM in a 100 mL Schlenk flask, followed by the addition of 0.1g of VCH-free COD and 0.52 mL of 1 mg/mL Grubbs II solution in degassedDCM. The mixture was stirred under argon atmosphere at 40° C. for 1 hr.3.9 g of VCH-free COD and 6 mL of degassed DCM were subsequently addedinto the Schlenk flask to start the second stage chain extensionreaction. The reaction mixture was left to stir at 40° C. for 15 hrs,and aliquots were taken for proton NMR and GPC-MALLS analysis. The sameprocedure was repeated using COD treated with BH₃.THF and Magnesol®-xl.

Results of the comparative study are shown in Table 1 below:

TABLE 1 Conv. Of M_(w) Monomer Treatment COD (%) (kg/mol) PDI BH₃—THF 95176 1.47 ZSM-5 + Magnesol 100 318 1.49

The ROMP procedure using COD treated with ZSM-5 and Magnesol®-xl gave100% conversion of COD, and the M_(n)(=M_(w)/PDI) of the resultingpolymer, 213 kg/mol, agreed very well with the predicted value (i.e.,molecular weight of COD×2000). On the other hand, the reaction using CODtreated with BH₃.THF could achieve only 95% conversion of COD, and theM_(w) of the resulting polymer was 176 kg/mol, 55% of that from thezeolite-purified COD. Besides, the M_(n) of the resulting polymer, 120kg/mol, did not agree with the initial COD/CTA ratio, indicating thatundesired secondary metathesis reactions took place along with theprimary polymerization reaction. A skilled person can understand thatpurifying COD with ZSM-5 and Magnesol® enables control of molecularweight in the ROMP procedure by adjusting the ratio of COD to CTA, whichcannot be seen in ROMP of COD treated with BH₃.THF and Magnesol®-xl.

Example 7: Comparative Study of ROMP of COD Purified by ZSM-5 Alone andCOD by ZSM-5/Magnesol®-xl

COD was purified according to the purification procedure described abovein Example 3. A portion of the zeolite-treated COD was further purifiedusing the procedure described in Example 5. Synthesis of di-TE PCOD(FIG. 7) via two-stage ROMP in the presence of a di-TE CTA (compound 8in FIG. 8) was selected to benchmark the performance of COD purifiedwith ZSM-5 only and COD purified with ZSM-5 and Magnesol®-xl. A totalCOD-to-CTA ratio of 4,000:1 was used, and 50 equivalents of COD wereused in the first-stage reaction, macro-CTA synthesis, where a 30:1CTA-to-Grubbs II ratio was used. Specifically, 33.5 mg of the di-TE CTA(22.9 tmol) was dissolved in 3 mL of degassed dichloromethane (DCM) in a250-mL Schlenk flask under argon atmosphere, followed by the addition of0.125 g of COD treated with ZSM-5 only (1.14 mmol) and 0.65 mL of 1mg/mL Grubbs II solution in DCM. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for30 min. 9.875 g of COD treated with ZSM-5 only (36.2 mmol) along with 22mL of degassed DCM were added to the Schlenk flask to start the chainextension reaction. 16 hrs later, aliquots were taken for proton NMR andGPC-MALLSs analysis, and 200 mL of oxygenated DCM was added into theflask to terminate the reaction. The same polymerization proceduredescribed here was applied to the COD purified with ZSM-5 andMagnesol®-xl. Results of the comparative study are shown in Table 2below:

TABLE 2 Conv. Of M_(w) Monomer Treatment COD (%) (kg/mol) PDI ZSM-5 +Magnesol-XL 98 666 1.50 ZSM-5 Only 90 650 1.53

The results in Table 2 indicate that removal of peroxides andhydroperoxides from COD using Magnesol®-xl can mitigate catalystinterference and thus improve the conversion of COD in the two-stageprocedure. The benefit of and Magnesol®-xl for COD purified using ZSM-5is much greater than the benefit of and Magnesol®-xl for COD purifiedusing BH₃.THF.

Example 8: Regeneration ZSM-5

Zeolite adsorbent, ZSM-5, of example 3 is re-generated by desorption ofVCH using steam treatment. The ZSM-5 of example 2 was steamed at 700° C.to 1450° F. (700° C.) for 5-15 hours in 10-45% steam/90-55% air, atatmospheric pressure to be regenerated for repeated use.

Example 9: GPC-MALLS for Characterization of Polymers

MALLS, i.e. Multi-angle Laser Light Scattering, was used in conjunctionwith GPC to determine the molecular weights and polydispersity of thepolymers. The system used a Wyatt DAWN EOS multi-angle laser lightscattering detector (λ=690 nm) with a Waters 410 differentialrefractometer (RI) (λ=930 nm) connected in series. Chromatographicseparation by the size exclusion principle (largest comes out first) wasachieved by using four Agilent PLgel columns (pore sizes 10³, 10⁴, 10⁵,and 10⁶ Å) connected in series. Degassed THF was used as the mobilephase with a temperature of 35° C. and a flow rate of 0.9 ml/min. Thetime for complete elution through the system was 50 min, and MALLS andRI data were recorded at 5 Hz.

Samples were prepared by dissolving 5 mg of polymer in 1 ml of THF andfiltering the solution through 0.45 m PTFE membrane syringe filtersimmediately before injection. An injection volume of 20 μl was used. Thedata were analyzed by Wyatt Astra Software (version 5.3.4) using theZimm fitting formula with dn/dc=0.125 for PCOD in THF to obtainweight-average molecular weight (M_(w)) for each polymer reported.

Example 10: Guidance on Molecular Sieve Selection

Given the following information on silicate and aluminosilicate zeolitesthat possess at least one 10-ring channel given in the 6^(th) Edition ofthe Atlas of Zeolite Framework Types the candidates for use in thepresent invention were identified and are listed in FIG. 9.

Wenkite is eliminated because one of the crystallographic diameters ofits 10-ring channel that is less than 3 Å. Heulandite is eliminatedbecause the ratio of its larger crystallographic diameter to its smallercrystallographic diameter is greater than 2. The following approach wasthen followed to select suitable molecular sieves.

A first step, Step 1) was that of identifying 10-ring, wide-poremolecular sieve frameworks. The most promising candidates wereidentified by selecting those that both have a minimum crystallographicfree diameter that is greater than 5 Å and have pore aspect ratio lessthan 1.1. Ten zeolite frameworks satisfy both of these criteria: IMF,MEL, MFI, MFS, OBW, PON, SFF, STF, TER and TUN.

A second step, Step 2) was that of identifying 10-ring, wide-poreframeworks that permit diffusion in three dimensions. Among this groupof ten 10-ring, wide-pore molecular sieve frameworks, four have channelsthat are connected in three dimensions, two have channels that areconnected in two dimensions, and four only permit diffusion in onedimension. Therefore, the four most promising candidates are identified(10-ring, wide-pore molecular sieve frameworks that permit diffusion inthree dimensions): MEL, MFI, OBW and TUN.

An additional optional steps (since four strong candidates have alreadybeen identified, further steps are optional) were that of: identifying10-ring, medium-pore molecular sieve frameworks from the remainingzeolite frameworks by selecting those that both have a minimumcrystallographic free diameter that is greater than 4.5 Å and have poreaspect ratio less than 1.25. Five of the remaining zeolite frameworkssatisfy both of these criteria: MTT, NES, SFG, STI and TON. Among thisgroup of five zeolite frameworks, two have channels that are connectedin two dimensions, none are connected in three dimensions, and themajority only permit diffusion in one dimension. Therefore, the mostpromising candidates in this secondary group are NES and SFG.

A further additional optional step was that of identifying 10-ring,narrow-pore molecular sieve frameworks from the remaining zeoliteframeworks by selecting those that both have a minimum crystallographicfree diameter that is greater than 4 Å and have pore aspect ratio lessthan 1.5. Five of the remaining zeolite frameworks satisfy both of thesecriteria: EUO, FER, LAU, MWW and SZR.

Among this group of five zeolites, one has channels that are connectedin three dimensions and one is connected in two dimensions (the majorityonly permit diffusion in one dimension). Therefore, the most promisingcandidate in the third group is SZR.

A survey of commercially available 10-ring zeolites identified suppliersfor five framework structures: MEL, MFI, MTT, TON, FER and MWW. Two ofthese belong to the group of wide-10-ring molecular sieves that areconnected in three dimensions: MEL and MFI.

The Atlas of Zeolite Framework Types indicates that zeolites with MELframework have the common name ZSM-11. Vendors offer ZSM-11 with Si:Alratios of 25, 30, 50, 80 and 280. Based on other examples in thispatent, the team chose to test ZSM-11 compositions with the threehighest Si:Al ratios (50, 80 and 280).

Similarly, MFI zeolites (common name ZSM-5) are available commerciallywith a variety of Si:Al ratios, include 50, 80 and >200. Therefore, theteam ordered samples of ZSM-5 to include in a trial study to identifythe best zeolite for the desired separation.

Example 11: Evaluation of Zeolite Efficacy in Selective Removal of VCHfrom COD

A chemical process using cyclooctadiene (COD) was adversely affected bythe presence of vinylcyclohexene (VCH). Commercially availableredistilled-grade cyclooctadiene was found to contain more than 1000parts per million (ppm) VCH; the process required that VCH content beless than 100 ppm.

A screening study was performed to evaluate the possibility of using theseparation method of the present invention. Molecular sieves withframework MFI (ZSM-5) were chosen for testing and were purchased withtwo different Si:Al ratios, 50 and 80, with ammonium counterions.

For comparison, a small pore framework (LTA) and three large poreframeworks (BEA, MOR and FAU) were included in the study. The calciumLinde A zeolite (LTA), known as 5 Å, had Si:Al ratio 2:1. The Betazeolite (BEA) with Si:Al 25:1 neutralized with ammonium. Two MORzeolites were studied: a sodium mordenite with Si:Al of 13:1 and anammonium mordenite with Si:Al of 20:1. The Y zeolite (FAU) had Si:Al5.2:1.

Trial samples consisting of 1 part vinylcylohexane to 99 partscyclooctadiene were prepared to represent the mixtures that requireseparation. In addition, samples with 1 part cyclooctadiene to 99 partsof cyclododecatriene (CDDT) were used for reference.

Vials were prepared with 0.5 g of zeolite and capped loosely so that gascould escape. Then the vials and zeolites were dried in a vacuum oven at110° C. at a reduced pressure (100 mtorr) for 18 hours prior to use.Once cooled down to room temperature, the oven was filled with argon,and the vials were immediately capped tightly and taken out from theoven.

2.5g of the test sample, either 1% VCH in COD or 1% COD in CDDT, wasadded to the vial. The content was magnetically stirred for 2 hours atroom temperature and ambient temperature.

After two hours, approximately 0.1 ml of each sample was filtered toseparate the sieved mixture from the zeolites using a 0.45 μm syringefilter. Then 5 mg of filtrate was diluted in 0.9 ml of deuteratedchloroform and ¹H NMR spectra were acquired at 500 MHz.

The signal-to-noise ratio of the ¹H NMR spectra permitted detection ofas little at 50 ppm of either VCH in COD or COD in CDDT. The outcomes ofeach experiment either showed essentially no reduction of the minorcomponent or reduction below the detection limit. The ¹H NMR spectra ofthe constituents that remained in the sieved mixture were unchangedrelative to that constituent in the trial sample. Therefore, the resultsare listed in Table 3 below as “yes” the minor component was reducedbelow the detection limit or “no” the minor component was not removed.

TABLE 3 removal of VCH from COD enters Classification Framework Zeolitename Si:Al Counterion COD? pores? 8-ring LTA Linde A 2 Ca++ No Nowide-10-ring MFI ZSM-5 50 NH4+ Yes No 80 NH4+ Yes No 12-ring BEA Beta 25NH4+ No Yes MOR mordenite 13 Na+ No Yes 20 NH4+ No Yes FAU Y 5.2 NH4+ NoYes

The results summarized in Table 3 confirmed that: a) a wide-10-ringzeolite with venting channels (MFI) can provide a purity of better than99.99% COD; b) a 0.5g amount of zeolite is sufficient to remove at least0.025g of VCH; c) separation can be performed at ambient temperature;and d) separation is complete within a time that is short compared tothe rate of deleterious reactions at the temperature used to perform theseparation.

Example 12: Effect of Water Content on Separation Effectiveness

Two ZSM-5 zeolites with Si/Al of 28:1 and 80:1 respectively wereselected to demonstrate the importance of properly drying molecularsieves before contacting a hydrocarbon mixture for selective removal ofundesired components. 0.5 g of each zeolite was used as received andloaded into a 20 mL vial charged with a stir bar, and 0.5 g of eachzeolite was loaded in a 20 mL vial charged with a stir bar, dried at310° C. and 100 mTorr for 20 min, cooled down to room temperature, andcovered with argon atmosphere prior to use. 2.5 g of 1 wt % VCH in CODdescribed in Example 11 was added to each of the four vials. The fourmixtures were stirred at room temperature and ambient pressure for 2hrs.

After 2 hrs, approximately 0.1 ml of each sample was filtered toseparate the sieved mixture from the zeolites using a 0.45 μm syringefilter. Then 5 mg of filtrate was diluted in 0.9 ml of deuteratedchloroform and ¹H NMR spectra were acquired at 500 MHz. Thesignal-to-noise ratio of the ¹H NMR spectra permitted detection of aslittle at 50 ppm of either VCH in COD or COD in CDDT. The results of thetwo zeolites dried at 310° C. and 100 mTorr prior to use show reductionof VCH concentration below the detection limit, while the results ofthose used as received show that the VCH concentration in the sampleswas reduced to ca. 0.02 wt %. The comparisons exemplified here suggest askilled person should properly dry the molecular sieves to minimize theamount of residual water in sieving channels before contacting them witha hydrocarbon mixture, so that better separation effectiveness can beachieved without increasing molecular sieve loading.

Example 13: Determination of Water Content in a Zeolite Sample UsingThermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

Thermogravimetry, as will be understood by a skilled person, is one ofthe effective ways to understand the water content in a zeolite sample.The following five as-received zeolite samples were analyzed on aPerkinElmer Simultaneous Thermal Analyzer (STA 6000) equipped with anautosampler: ZSM-5 with Si/Al of 23:1 (ammonium counterions), ZSM-5 withSi/Al of 28:1 (ammonium counterions), ZSM-5 with Si/Al of 50:1 (ammoniumcounterions), ZSM-5 with Si/Al of 80:1 (ammonium counterions), andzeolite ferrierite with Si/Al of 20:1 (ammonium counterions).Approximately 6 mg of each sample was analyzed under nitrogen flow at 20mL/min, a heating rate of 5° C./min, and a temperature range from 30 to600° C. The results shown in FIG. 10 indicate that there is at least awater content of 2 wt % in each zeolite sample, and that those with aSi/Al ratio below 25:1 (i.e., ZSM-5 23:1 and zeolite ferrierite) aremore hydrophilic due to their relative high contents of trivalentaluminum atoms and can contain up to 8 wt % water. The comparisonsdemonstrated in this example provide a skilled person guidance on how toselect a molecular sieve according to its Si/Al ratio, and that heatinga molecular sieve at ambient pressure over 400° C. can remove watermolecules from the sieving channels.

Example 14: Molecular Sieves Framework Categorization

Using data for all of the 10-ring molecular sieves documented in the6^(th) edition of the Atlas of Zeolite Frameworks, the 10-ringframeworks are categorized using the criteria for: 1) dimensions of theminimum aperture of the sieving channel (defined as the only 10-ringchannel or the 10-ring channel that has the largest minimumcrystallographic free diameter among the 10-ring channels in theframework); and B) connectivity of the one or more sieving channelstogether with other channels.

The framework crystallographic free diameters of the sieving pore can beaccordingly categorized as:

-   -   “wide” (minimum crystallographic free diameter that is 5.0 Å or        greater and less than 6 Å and ratio of maximum/minimum        crystallographic free diameter is between 1.1 and 1.0),    -   “intermediate” (zeolites that only satisfy one of the two        criteria for “wide” and all zeolites that have a minimum        crystallographic free diameter that is 4.5 Å or greater and less        than 5.0 Å and has a ratio of maximum/minimum crystallographic        free diameter between 1.1 and 1.25)    -   “narrow” (zeolites that only satisfy one of the two criteria for        “intermediate” and all zeolites that have a minimum        crystallographic free diameter that is 4.0 Å or greater and less        than 4.5 Å and has a ratio of maximum/minimum crystallographic        free diameter between 1.25 and 1.5).

The framework crystallographic free diameters of the sieving pore canalso be categorized in view of the framework connectivity as:

-   -   “3D Sieving channel network” which indicates that the framework        offers a three-dimensional network in which all channels are        sieving channels.    -   “3D Sieving channel+Venting channels network” which indicates        that the framework offers venting channels that taken together        with one or more sieving channels affords a three dimensional        network    -   “2D Sieving channel+Venting channel network” which indicates        that the framework offers either two sieving channels or a        sieving channel with one venting channel that together provide a        two dimensional network; and    -   “1D Sieving channel” which indicates a framework in which the        sieving channels do not connect with an additional dimension.

The resulting assignments are given in Table 4 below.

TABLE 4 Classification subgroups of 10-ring Frameworks Sieving channel +Sieving channel + sieving channel 3D Sieving channel Venting channelsVenting channel aperture network provide a 3D network provide a 2Dnetwork 1D Sieving channel Wide-10-ring MEL TUN, IMF, MFI, OBW MFS, TERTON, SFF, STF Intermediate-10-ring none none STI, SFG, NES MTT, TONNarrow-10-ring none SZR FER, MWW EUO, LAU

This example shows how to organize a large list of possible zeolites toplan an efficient set of experiments to evaluate them for a separationof interest.

For example, the skilled person may choose to perform an initialexperiment with a zeolite having at least one intermediate-width 10-ringsieving channel, the table above would guide them to choose STI, SFG orNES first. The skilled person chooses a zeolite having the NES frameworkin a form that has Si:Al greater than or equal to 50 and neutralizedwith Ca⁺⁺ (that is, an example of the NES framework with pores that arekept open by using Ca⁺⁺ rather than Na⁺ or NH₄ ⁺). If they observe thatthe molecules to be retained in the sieve do not enter this NES zeolite,they can rule out five frameworks: NES, STI and SFG because they willbehave similarly to one another, and MTT and TON which will be inferiorto NES, STI an SFG. If the molecules to be retained in the sieve conformto one of the Markush groups in the present invention, they will enterthe pores of one of the Wide-10-ring zeolites. Therefore, discouragingresults on an Ca-NES zeolite with high Si:Al indicates that the nexttests should be performed on one or more zeolites that have a frameworkselected from of the Wide-10-ring category, preferrably frameworks withventing channels. For efficiency, the skilled person might choose onezeolite of framework MEL and one from the group of TUN, IMF, MFI andOBW, initially choosing specific compositions that have Si:Al greaterthan or equal to 50 and neutralized with Ca⁺⁺. In this way, a very smallnumber of experiments can be used to identify molecular sieves thatperform the desired separation.

Example 15: Process to Produce Cyclooctadiene from Butadiene

In this example, 1,3-butadiene is fed to a dimerization reactor thatproduces two products in the proportion 67.1% wt cyclooctadiene (COD)and 23.6% wt cyclododecatriene (CDDT) per mass of butadiene consumed. Inaddition, it produces 1.7% wt 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene (VCH) per mass ofbutadiene consumed. The VCH is difficult to separate from COD. Twicedistilled COD continues to have 0.2% wt to 0.5% wt VCH and approximatelyhalf of the COD is lost to the stream that has the higher concentrationof VCH. Borane treated COD can reduce the VCH to less than 0.1%;however, approximately half of the COD is lost and diverse impuritiesare created that poisons the catalysts in important processes for whichCOD is sold.

Therefore, separation using the present invention is integrated into theprocess of converting butadiene to products.

Reference is made in this connection to the schematics of FIG. 11showing an exemplary process that converts a “precursor” to a desired“sieved mixture” and a stream of “displacement fluid” and “adsorbate”;the precursor is introduced to a “reactor” in which desired productmolecules are formed (the stream from the reactor may optionally bepassed through a device that separates precursor and recycles it to thereactor); the mixture from the reactor flows into the “separation” inwhich at least one device with molecular sieve is “on line” and at leastone device with molecular sieve is undergoing “regeneration”; themixture that passes through the device produces a “sieved mixture” thatis on line is enriched in one or more desired components and leavesadsorbate on the molecular sieves; the device that is undergoingregeneration may optionally be treated with a “displacement fluid” torecover the adsorbate in a stream of “displacement fluid+adsorbate”.

As applied to this example, the precursor of the schematics of FIG. 11is 1,3-butadiene. The 1,3-butadiene is easily recycled because it hasmuch higher vapor pressure than VCH, COD or CDDT. The mixture is aliquid composed of VCH, COD and CDDT. When the mixture passes throughthe inventive molecular sieve system that can be dual bed (in which thetwo devices alternate between being on line and being in regeneration),or multiple bed (in which the scheduling can be designed usingrelationships that are known to the skilled person) or fluidized bed (inwhich the zeolite moves from the online device to the regenerationdevice). The mixture flows through a device in which the molecular sieveadsorbs the VCH at a flow rate that allows 99% of the VCH to adsorb tothe molecular sieve. The composition of the sieved mixture is 73.9% CODand 26.0% CDDT and more than 99% of the COD that was present in themixture is still present in the sieved mixture. The stream of COD andCDDT is fed to a vacuum distillation column that easily separates thetwo in high yield by virtue of the large difference in the boilingpoints of the two species (at ambient pressure, bp 151° C. for COD andbp 231° C. for CDDT). The regeneration of the molecular sieve can beperformed in two ways. Regeneration without recovery of the adsorbatecan be achieved simply heating the molecular sieve to vaporize the VCHand then burning off the organic vapor. Regeneration with recovery ofthe adsorbate can be achieved by using benzene as the displacement fluidand then using vacuum distillation to drive off benzene (at ambientpressure, boiling point (i.e. bp) 80° C. for benzene and bp 129° C. forVCH).

This example shows that the materials, methods and systems of thepresent invention can be used in an integral manner with a reactor theproduces products that present separation challenges downstream.

The example shows that products that are destroyed or lost in prior artpurifications such as sequential distillation or reactive removal ofcontaminant can be obtained in high yield by using the materials,methods and systems of the present invention.

Example 16: Exemplary Desorption Systems for the Molecular Sieves

Exemplary of adsorption systems for the molecular sieves of the presentinvention include:

-   -   Multiple-bed adsorption    -   Single-bed adsorption    -   Static adsorption    -   Fluidized bed adsorption

Multiple-Bed Adsorption:

Multiple bed adsorption is ideal for most commercial, large-scale fluidpurification operations. Conventional fixed-bed adsorption equipment isused. For example, a dual-bed installation places one bed on-stream topurify the fluid while the other bed is being purged, either to discardor collect the adsorbate. When the process design requires a shorteradsorption time than the purge time, additional beds can be added topermit continuous processing of the feed.

Single-Bed Adsorption:

Single-bed adsorption can be used when interrupted product flow isacceptable. When the adsorption capacity of the bed is reached, it canbe regenerated. The regenerated bed can be used for another batch in thesame process or used for a batch of a different material or even movedto another location where it is needed.

Static Adsorption:

When manufactured into various physical forms, molecular sieves can beused as static adsorbents in closed liquid systems.

Fluidized-Bed Adsorption:

Fluidized bed-adsorption can be used to provide continuous regenerationof zeolite that is saturated with adsorbate by directing a stream ofsuspended zeolite particles at the bottom of a fluidized adsorptioncolumn to the top of a regeneration column and replenishing the zeolitesin the fluidized bed using a stream of zeolite suspension that has beencompletely regenerated directed from the bottom of the regenerationcolumn to the top of the fluidized adsorption bed.

The examples set forth above are provided to give those of ordinaryskill in the art a complete disclosure and description of how to makeand use the embodiments of the hydrocarbon mixtures, eight memberedunsaturated hydrocarbons, nonlinear unsaturated C₈H_(2m) hydrocarbonswith 4≤m≤8, polymers, compositions, systems and methods of thedisclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of what theinventors regard as their disclosure. Modifications of theabove-described modes for carrying out the disclosure that are obviousto persons of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope ofthe following claims. All patents and publications mentioned in thespecification are indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled inthe art to which the disclosure pertains.

The entire disclosure of each document cited (including patents, patentapplications, journal articles, abstracts, laboratory manuals, books, orother disclosures) in the Background, Summary, Detailed Description, andExamples is hereby incorporated herein by reference. All referencescited in this disclosure are incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference had been incorporated by reference in itsentirety individually.

It is to be understood that the disclosures are not limited toparticular compositions materials, or biological systems, which can, ofcourse, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology usedherein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, andis not intended to be limiting. As used in this specification and theappended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term“plurality” includes two or more referents unless the content clearlydictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical andscientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonlyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosurepertains.

Unless otherwise indicated, the disclosure is not limited to specificreactants, substituents, catalysts, reaction conditions, or the like, assuch may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology usedherein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only andis not intended to be limiting.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a polymer” includesa single polymer as well as a combination or mixture of two or morepolymers, reference to “a substituent” encompasses a single substituentas well as two or more substituents, and the like.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the terms “forexample,” “for instance,” “such as,” or “including” are meant tointroduce examples that further clarify more general subject matter.Unless otherwise specified, these examples are provided only as an aidfor understanding the applications illustrated in the presentdisclosure, and are not meant to be limiting in any fashion.

In this disclosure and in the claims that follow, reference will be madeto a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the followingmeanings:

The term “alkyl” as used herein refers to a linear, branched, or cyclicsaturated hydrocarbon group typically although not necessarilycontaining 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to about 6 carbonatoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl,t-butyl, octyl, decyl, and the like, as well as cycloalkyl groups suchas cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like. Generally, although again notnecessarily, alkyl groups herein contain 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. Theterm “cycloalkyl” intends a cyclic alkyl group, typically having 4 to12, preferably 5 to 8, carbon atoms. The term “substituted alkyl” refersto alkyl substituted with one or more substituent groups ofhydrocarbons, If not otherwise indicated, the terms “alkyl” and “loweralkyl” include linear, branched, cyclic, unsubstituted, substituted,alkyl and lower alkyl, respectively.

The term “aryl” as used herein, and unless otherwise specified, refersto an aromatic substituent containing a single aromatic ring or multiplearomatic rings that are fused together, directly linked, or indirectlylinked (such that the different aromatic rings are bound to a commongroup such as a methylene or ethylene moiety). Exemplary aryl groupscontain one aromatic ring e.g., phenyl.

The terms “cyclic” and “ring” refer to alicyclic or aromatic groups thatmay or may not be substituted and/or heteroatom containing, and that maybe monocyclic, bicyclic, or polycyclic. The term “alicyclic” is used inthe conventional sense to refer to an aliphatic cyclic moiety, asopposed to an aromatic cyclic moiety, and may be monocyclic, bicyclic orpolycyclic.

The term “olefins” as used herein indicates two carbons covalently boundto one another that contain a double bond (sp²-hybridized bond) betweenthem.

By “substituted” as in “substituted alkyl,” “substituted aryl,” and thelike, as alluded to in some of the aforementioned definitions, is meantthat in the, alkyl, aryl, or other moiety, at least one hydrogen atombound to a carbon atom is replaced with one or more hydrocarbon groups.

Examples of such substituents include, without limitation: functionalgroups such as and the hydrocarbyl moieties C₁-C₆ alkyl (preferablyC₁-C₄ alkyl), C₂-C₆ alkenyl (preferably C₂-C₄ alkenyl), C₂-C₆ alkynyl(preferably C₂-C₄ alkynyl), C₆ aryl.

In addition, the aforementioned functional groups may, if a particulargroup permits, be further substituted with one or more additionalfunctional groups or with one or more hydrocarbyl moieties such as thosespecifically enumerated above. Analogously, the above-mentionedhydrocarbyl moieties may be further substituted with one or morefunctional groups or additional hydrocarbyl moieties such as thosespecifically enumerated.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently describedcircumstance may or may not occur, so that the description includesinstances where the circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.For example, the phrase “optionally substituted” means that anon-hydrogen substituent may or may not be present on a given atom, and,thus, the description includes structures wherein a non-hydrogensubstituent is present and structures wherein a non-hydrogen substituentis not present.

In the molecular structures herein, the use of bold and dashed lines todenote particular conformation of groups follows the IUPAC convention. Abond indicated by a broken line indicates that the group in question isbelow the general plane of the molecule as drawn, and a bond indicatedby a bold line indicates that the group at the position in question isabove the general plane of the molecule as drawn.

The term “carbon chain” as used herein indicates a linear or branchedline of connected carbon atoms.

Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein can be used in the practice for testing of the specificexamples, additional appropriate materials and methods are describedherein.

A number of embodiments of the disclosure have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of thefollowing claims.

1-33. (canceled)
 34. A method to provide a hydrocarbon polymer startingfrom a precursor to an eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon, the method comprising: reacting a precursor to aneight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon to provide ahydrocarbon mixture; separating an eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon from the hydrocarbon mixture further comprising additionalnonlinear unsaturated C₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8, whereinseparating the eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarboncomprises providing a 10-ring pore molecular sieve having a sievingchannel with a 10-ring sieving aperture with a minimum crystallographicfree diameter greater than 3 Å and a ratio of the maximumcrystallographic free diameter to the minimum crystallographic freediameter between 1 and 2, the 10-ring pore molecular sieve having aT1/T2 ratio≥20:1 wherein T1 is an element independently selected from Siand Ge or a combination thereof, and T2 is an element independentlyselected from Al, B and Ga or a combination thereof, the 10-ring poremolecular sieve further having a counterion selected from NH₄ ⁺, Li⁺,Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ or a combination thereof, and contacting thehydrocarbon mixture with the 10-ring pore molecular sieve at atemperature of −20° C. to 60° C. for a time and under conditions toobtain a sieved hydrocarbon mixture comprising the eight-memberedmonocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon at a separation concentrationC_(s)>C_(i), wherein the 10-ring pore molecular sieve has a frameworktype selected from group consisting of MEL, TUN, IMF, MFI, OBW, MFS andTER, and wherein, the sieved hydrocarbon mixture comprises theeight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon at a separationconcentration Cs≥99.3% wt.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein, thesieved hydrocarbon mixture comprises the eight-membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon at a separation concentration Cs≥99.5% wt. 36.The method of claim 34, wherein, the sieved hydrocarbon mixturecomprises the eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon at aseparation concentration Cs≥99.7% wt.
 37. The method of claim 34,wherein, the sieved hydrocarbon mixture comprises the eight-memberedmonocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon at a separation concentrationCs≥99.8% wt.
 38. The method of claim 34, wherein, the sieved hydrocarbonmixture comprises the eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbonat a separation concentration Cs≥99.9% wt.
 39. The method of claim 34,wherein, the sieved hydrocarbon mixture comprises the eight-memberedmonocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon at a separation concentrationCs≥99.99% wt.
 40. The method of claim 34, wherein the eight-memberedmonocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon is selected from the group consistingof

or a combination thereof.
 41. The method of claim 34, wherein theeight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon is


42. The method of claim 34, wherein the eight-membered monocyclicunsaturated hydrocarbon is


43. The method of claim 34, wherein the precursor to an eight-memberedmonocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon is selected from the group consistingof 1,3-butadiene, acetylene, 1,5-hexadiene, barrelene,cis,1,2-divinylcyclobutane, and 1,9-decadiene.
 44. The method of claim34, wherein the precursor to an eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon is 1,3-butadiene.
 45. The method of claim 34, wherein theprecursor to an eight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon isacetylene.
 46. The method of claim 34, wherein the precursor to aneight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon is 1,5-hexadiene. 47.The method of claim 34, wherein the reacting a precursor to aneight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon is selected from thegroup consisting of nickel catalyst mediated dimerization, nickelcyanide/calcium carbide mediated tetramerization, photolysis ofbarrelene, catalyzed Cope rearrangement, uncatalyzed Cope rearrangement,partial hydrogenation of an eight-membered monocyclic unsaturatedhydrocarbon, and ring-closing metathesis.
 48. The method of claim 34,further comprising: contacting the sieved hydrocarbon mixture with apolymerization catalyst for a time and under condition to allow theeight-membered monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon to polymerize to formthe hydrocarbon polymer.
 49. The method of claim 34, wherein theadditional nonlinear unsaturated C₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons with 4≤m≤8,comprise at least one compound having structure of Formula (I)

wherein

represents a single bond, or a double bond; r1 represents 1 to 4; R10,R11 and R12 are independently selected from H, C₁ to C₅ linear, branchedor cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, or an alkynyl groups, wherein the R11 and R12are on a same carbon or a different carbon of a ring, and wherein R10,R11 and R12 together contain (6-r1) carbon.
 50. The method of claim 34,wherein the additional nonlinear unsaturated C₈H_(2m) hydrocarbons with4≤m≤8, comprise 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene.
 51. The method of claim 34,wherein in the 10-ring pore molecular sieve is a 10-ring poreintermediate molecular sieve wherein the minimum crystallographic freediameter is equal to or greater than 4.5 Å to less than 5 Å and theratio of the maximum crystallographic free diameter to the minimumcrystallographic free diameter is between 1.1 and 1.25.
 52. The methodof claim 34, wherein in the 10-ring pore molecular sieve is a 10-ringpore wide molecular sieve wherein the minimum crystallographic freediameter is equal to or greater than 5.0 Å to less than 6 Å and theratio of the maximum crystallographic free diameter to the minimumcrystallographic free diameter is between 1.0 and 1.1.
 53. The method ofclaim 34, wherein in the 10-ring pore molecular sieve, the sievingchannel is interconnected to one or more sieving channels and/or ventingchannels to form a 2D channels network.
 54. The method of claim 34,wherein in the 10-ring pore molecular sieve, the sieving channel isinterconnected to one or more sieving channels and/or venting channelsto form a 3D channels network.
 55. The method of claim 34, wherein inthe 10-ring pore molecular sieve has a framework type selected from MEL,or MFI.
 56. The method of claim 34, wherein in the 10-ring poremolecular sieve is selected from ZSM-5 and ZSM-11.